Can a non-resident own and run a French company?
Updated 22 October 2026 · By Dragos-Razvan Toma
Yes. According to the French administration, a foreign national can create a business in France without residing in France. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals follow the same steps as French citizens. Nationals of other countries need a residence permit only if they want to settle in France or actually carry out the activity there.
What non-residents need
| Topic | What to plan for |
|---|---|
| Registered office | A French address: usually an approved domiciliation company |
| Bank account | A bank that accepts remote identity checks for non-residents |
| Identity | A valid passport |
| Other foreign documents | French translation may be requested |
| State aid | Some schemes (e.g. ARCE) require living in France |
EU vs non-EU
- EU/EEA/Swiss nationals: no permit needed to create, own or run the company, whether or not they live in France.
- Other nationals: can be shareholder and president while living abroad; moving to France to run the business requires a long-stay visa or residence card (for example the "passeport talent").
Sources
- Service-public (FR): can a foreign national create a business in France?
- Service-public (FR): how can a foreign national run a company in France?
Related
Registering a company vs permission to live and work in FranceForming a French company does not give the right to live or work in France. What non-EU founders need.LegalRapide for international founders: who we can serveWhat LegalRapide does for founders abroad, which situations we accept today and which need case-by-case review.
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